4. Connect From The <3

Listen. Develop an understanding of your audience with a keen awareness of their needs, desires and fears.

Connecting from the heart triggers emotions, which engages people and makes them care about your message.

In short: Don’t just speak to your readers – join the conversation already going on in their head.

The 30-Second Read

Use stunning openers to combat crazy-full inboxes and feeds.

Be brief because readers are busy – and distracted.

Use an unexpected perspective to delight readers.

Write with heart in a personal voice to tap into emotion.

Jim Ellis has over 20 years of experience in marketing strategy and implementation throughout a variety of industry sectors. Since 1999 he has been with Signal, a digital agency based in Wilmington and Raleigh, North Carolina. Signal has proven strengths serving as the “local agency” for global companies, generating solid results in web design, brand identity, mobile app development, digital strategy and more. Jim provides counsel to many of the agency’s largest clients with an eye toward integrated communications and a vast knowledge of both traditional and modern practices. As a songwriter and musician with a business degree, he believes his artistic/corporate “dual personality” gives him added perspective to be an effective liaison between clients and Signal’s talented creative team. Originally from Ohio, Jim graduated from the University of Richmond with a B.S. in Business Administration.